I want to thank the National Endowment for Democracy for hosting today’s event, which I hope will result in some meaningful discussions not only about the current state of affairs in Russia but also the universal strength of freedom and democracy.

I am pleased that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has unanimously approved a compromise reached by Senators Cardin and Corker that the Administration has said would be signed if passed by Congress.

The action taken by forty-seven Republican Senators in sending a letter to the leaders of Iran was ill-advised, inappropriate, and partisan, and it weakens America's position in the world while undermining critical negotiations.

Today, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation strengthening U.S.-Israel defense cooperation and expanding energy collaboration, reaffirming America’s strong commitment to Israel’s security and our close ties with its government and people.